Sunday 6 July 2003 saw the Annual Sponsored Walk being held at Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London, along with walks at other centres in Leicester, Ashton, Preston, Birmingham, Wellingborough, Loughborough and Cardiff.
Inspired by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, this year's walk was once again an outstanding success. The walk commenced at 9 a.m. from the Ceremonial Gate of the Mandir with the performance of Vedic rituals in the presence of Pujya Atmaswarup Swami. Nationally, over 2,500 walkers participated in this 10km. Sponsored Walk. In London some 1,500 took part. Walkers aged between 7 and 93 participated in the basking sunshine.
The route was arranged by the Mandir volunteers and medical assistance was also organised on the route. Arrangements for cold drinks and fruits were also provided at rest points. The event was managed by 100 volunteers. The last walkers completed their walk at 5 p.m.
This year, participants contacted more than 50,000 people to obtain sponsorships. The funds raised from this year's Sponsored Walk will be used by The Swaminarayan Hindu Mission in their various socio-spiritual activities across the UK of which one is The Swaminarayan School.
Trophies were given to those walkers who had made considerable efforts in collecting sponsors. Those were awarded during the festival of "Guru Purnima" celebrated at the Mandir on Sun 13 July.
During the festival day, beautiful dresses of flowers adorned the Murtis in the main shrines of the Mandir.